IT299 Ass. Capstone in Information Technology

Instructions:

Review the

IT299 Essential Project Guide

, decide on a project, and complete the

Project Concept Template.

All of the templates used throughout the course originate from the supplied textbook for the course. The textbook does a great job explaining the implementation of each template and you will benefit greatly by following the detailed instructions and explanations provided by the textbook and using this knowledge when completing all course assignments.

Select a project from those highlighted in the project guide that you have the ability and desire to implement. You will have the choice to implement a fully functional hands-on solution or a fully fleshed out and justified solution plan.

Ensure that your project is something that you will be able to accomplish in the next eight weeks. Scope it appropriately. If it is too easy, it will not provide much additional learning. If it is too large, you run the risk of stress due to promising more than you are able to deliver.

You will need to clearly define the initial goals of the business; this represents what the business wants to accomplish and why. The why may include addressing problems, exploiting opportunities, and eliminating pain points.

Provide an initial definition of project objectives. Objectives are SMART statements that define what the project will need to be composed of in order to meet business goals.

Define each project objective, and show how it relates to a particular business goal.

Create each project objective using SMART methodology.

Supplemental Information: Looking ahead

In the next unit, you will further refine and expound upon these objectives by going through a process of requirements gathering and analysis. You will also separate requirements into functional and non-functional groups.

Functional – What the system does relative to users.Non-functional – Refers to system changes and upgrades made necessary in order to enable the functional requirements; often (but not always) they will address the performance requirements expressed in SMART objectives.Further on in the course, you will then breakdown each objective into a structured series of tasks. Using the WBS (Work Breakdown Structure Template)Main Task – Level 1/Sub Task – Level 2 (1 or more), and/work package Task – Level 3 (approximately 1 person for 3 – 5 hours)The Task breakdown (creation of a highly detailed WBS – Work Breakdown Structure) is the primary and most important activity of the project manager; it is used both for planning the project and for driving and monitoring execution of the project. In any project the accuracy and detail of the WBS is determined by the accuracy and detail of the SMART objectives. If they are not well done, the WBS will lack detail and will be of little value. The WBS will be submitted as a part of every assignment from Unit 3 onward; It is a “Living Document” that will be critically important to your evaluation for the course.

Assignment Requirements

Complete the template. The project documents are referenced at the highest level of the organization. In order for your project to be successful, these documents will need to be formatted in a business professional manner. They will be complete, consistent, clear, and concise.